DWP sparks confusion over the upcoming £299 payment dates with texts to claimants

Just days before people are due to get the final cost of living payment, claimants have been left confused by a DWP text

There's less than a week until eight million people are expecting to receive the £299 cost of living payment.

The third cost of living payment, totalling £900, is due to be paid between 6 February and 22 February 2024.

However, some claimants have been left scratching their heads after receiving a puzzling text from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP.)

The text, issued to several people, has suggested a different date for the upcoming payment, and a different amount, leaving recipients wondering what this means.

Previously, the DWP said eligible recipients claiming certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, will receive a £299 cost of living payment from 6 February, so claimants are left wondering whether they can still expect the payment from next week and whether it will actually be £299.

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'£300 payments in October'

The messages from the DWP said the next cost of living payment would be for £300, and would be paid from October 31 to November 19', reported by BirminghamLive.

This was the pay period for the second of the three cost of living payments issued by the DWP in the tax year 2023/24.

Many who have received the texts have asked the DWP for clarification, wondering if they should still expect the £299 payment, due to be issued from next week.

The DWP has not yet commented on the messages.

It's not clear whether these messages have been sent to those who were eligible for the previous payment, or the upcoming payment – so if you have received one of these messages, don't take it as a sure sign you're due for the £299.

What are the cost of living payments?

The government's cost of living payments are cash grants offered to households on certain benefits including Universal Credit and tax credits.

More than 8 million households are expecting to get the £299 cash boost later this month to help with the rising costs of food, energy bills and other essentials.

The first lot of help – worth £650 – came in 2022, but in his Autumn Statement that same year, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a further three payments adding up to £900 would be made the following tax year.

The February payment is the third and final payment for the financial year 2023/2024, following a payment worth £301 in April 2023, and a second, worth £300, that was paid between 31 October and 19 November 2023.

When is the £299 payment due?

Eligible households are due to get the £299 payment between 6 February and 22 February 2024, according to all previous DWP communications.

The government website states:

• Those on means-tested benefits (such as Universal Credit) will receive their payment from the DWP between 6 February and 22 February.
• While anyone who claims Tax Credits and no other low-income benefit will get the £299 in their accounts between 16 February and 22 February. These will be paid by HMRC.

If you get Tax Credits from HMRC and also get a low-income benefit from DWP, you'll be paid by DWP only.

However, if you claim both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, you'll get the £299 payment from HMRC.

What payments have already been issued?

• £326 was issued between 14 and 31 July 2022 for those on DWP benefits and between 2 and 7 September 2022 for people on Tax Credits
• £324 was paid between 8 and 23 November 2022 for most people on DWP benefits – or between 23 and 30 November 2022 for people on Tax Credits
• £301 was paid between April 25 and May 17 for most people on DWP benefits and Tax Credits
• £150 Disability Cost of Living payment was issued between 20 June and 4 July
• £300 was paid during autumn 2023 – between 31 October and 19 November for most people on DWP benefits and Tax Credits

Who is eligible for the £299 payment?

The February £299 payment is the third Cost of Living payment to be made this financial year and is available to those claiming the following benefits:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

Find out more about the eligibility requirements for the third Cost of Living payment here.

To be eligible for the payment, you have to be due a payment for one of the above benefits during the qualifying period which was between 13 November 2023 and 12 December 2023.

How do I apply?

You do not need to apply for the payment. If you are eligible, you will receive the money automatically to the bank account where you usually receive your benefits.

Will there be any more Cost of Living payments after February?

There are no more payments announced following the upcoming £299 instalment.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, explained that funding will instead go towards helping parents get back to work.

He said: 'We will always protect the most vulnerable, while ensuring fairness for the taxpayer.

'We know that the best way to secure long-term financial security is through employment, so we’re rolling out the next generation of welfare reforms to put thousands more people on a pathway off benefits and into work.'

Mims Davies, MP and DWP representative at the DWP confirmed: 'There are currently no plans to extend the cost of living payments beyond the spring.

She said that this was because the rate of inflation had slowed and the government would be increasing benefits to help low-income households.

Further money help

Need more money advice? Head to the Netmums Cost of Living hub.

Struggling with household bills? You could get help through the Household Support Fund or find out everything you need to know about Cost of Living payments.

Plus, discover Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis's top tips on everything from switching bank accounts, energy bills, unmissable deals and more.

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